May 2009 Newsletter

"You have changed the face of Regent Park. There is a book in every home now."
Children's Programme Coordinator
The Yonge Street Mission

Dear Friends and Supporters of The Children's Book Bank:

The Children's Book Bank is a year old now!! And what a year it has been. We wanted to share with you some of our more important milestones:

  • We have distributed approximately 40,000 books to children and their families, many of whom cannot afford to purchase their own books
  • We have helped over 40 schools and community organizations to recycle their gently used books by conducting book drives in support of the Children's Book Bank
  • We have built a staff of over 70 volunteers, including many active and retired teachers and librarians, teaching students from York University and University of Toronto's OISE and individuals with expertise or interest in early literacy or children's literature
  • We have partnered with over 40 local schools, daycares and literacy agencies by hosting free "field trips" to their children and clients
  • We have undertaken outreach programs in which we have provided free books to children living in high needs areas outside of the Regent Park area
  • We have been featured in news stories across the country, including The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, CTV, CBC Metro Morning and Zoomer Magazine
  • We have been approached by individuals from Halifax to Vancouver Island who all want to open book banks in their communities

After a year in operation, we continue to see between 180 and 250 visitors per day, including a record day over the March Break when we had 356 visitors! Many teachers, parents and agency supervisors have reported improvements in their children's literacy and interest in books and reading. And to think, all these books were sitting abandoned in someone's basement, living room or child's bedroom!!

Our time at the book bank is filled with many magical and touching moments. We wanted to share some of our customers' comments with you. These come from thank you notes that we have received and comments that our customers have written in our guest books:

"At night when I turn off the light I hear, "one more page, please!". My children are reading so much, even at lunchtime. They are really into reading."
"The Children's Book Bank is my favourite place to go. You can get smart by getting books for free."
"Whenever I walk into the book bank, no matter how bad a day I had, I feel like I've walked into an oasis where I can relax and enter a whole new world of books."
"I think you are doing a really good job because many people in our neighbourhood can't afford to buy books so they can come to your book bank and get books for free. One of my friends said, "Wow, I'm going to come here everyday."
"We are new here. My son is 2.5 years old and his IQ is developing and I have no money to buy books for him. The book bank is giving me a glorious opportunity."
"I like the place's neatness, mountains of books and friendly volunteers. Thank you so much for making it the place to be for my nieces."
"My breakfast club (mostly boys) was reluctant to come to the book bank. Your hospitality and beautiful space transformed them. They left with their noses buried in books. I told them to leave their books in the lobby but they insisted on bringing them to the gym."

Thank you for helping us to bring books and reading into the lives of so many families. You have supported us with your time and your books and with your generous donations. We could not have made these milestones without your help!!

The Children's Book Bank is a registered charity and we need your continued financial support. If you wish to make a donation to the book bank you may mail a cheque to the book bank at 350 Berkeley Street, Toronto M5A 2X5 or make an online donation at www.childrensbookbank.com for a full tax receipt.